Centrifugal actuator apparatus



E. P. LARSH 3,194,078

CENTRIFUGAL ACTUATOR APPARATUS Filed July 3, 1963 July 13, 1965 FIG-6 AA INVENTOR EVERETT P. LARSH WZZM ATTORNEY U d s P o new p Patented July 13, 19655 A a Preferably, the rotor It is a thin wall metallic body s reams y a, ram, No. 292,621 12 @laimfi. isess This invention relates to control apparatus. The invention relates more particularly to control apparatus associated with rotary mechanism.

This invention is an improvement upon the structure disclosed in my Patent No. 3,658,355.

in various types of rotary apparatus there is a need for control mechanism which functions in accordance with the rate of rotation thereof. For example, an electric motor having a winding which is used only for starting purposes must be provided with means for disconnection of the starting'winding after a given rate of rotation has been obtained. Other types of apparatus are also provided with mechanism which operates when a given rate of rotation is obtained.

An object of this invention is to provide positive, snap action control apparatus which operates when. a given rotational rate is obtained.

Another object of this invention is to provide such control apparatus which has a minimum number of elements.

Another object of this invention is to provide such control apparatus which can be produced at comparatively low costs.

Another object of this invention is to provide such control apparatus which is durable and longlived.

Another object of this invention is to provide such control apparatus which can be applied to numerous types of mechanisms for operation of an element thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide such control apparatus which is capable of performing con-- siderable Work as actuation operation occurs at a given rate of rotation thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide control apparatus which can be used in association with a starting winding of an electric motor to energize and deenergize the starting winding.

Another object of this invention is to provide such control apparatus for an electric motor is which the control apparatus may include a portion of the circuitry or in which the apparatus can be used to operate a switch element. o

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof, e method of manufacture, and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective front view showing control apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective back view of an actuator member, which is an element of the apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is a front plan view of apparatus of this invention. 7

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 44 or" FIGURE 3.

FlGURE 5 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 but showing elements of the apparatus in anotherposition of operation.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view, on a slightly smaller scale and with parts broken away, taken substantially on line 6-5 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a back plan view of apparatus of this invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, control apparatus of this invention comprises a rotor it) provided with annular central portion 12.

lever member 42 having a base which is cut and pressed into the desired form and shape. However, any other material or materials may be used and formed in any suitable manner.

The annular central portion 12 has a flange 14 to which is integrally attached a plurality of spaced-apart connector legs to which join the central portion 12 to an outer ring 13. The space between each two adjacent legs 16 forms a window in the rotor it so that a plurality of windows are provided, as shown in Fl URES 1 and 3.

The outer ring 18 has a front portion 2t? and a back portion 22, the portions 2d and 22 being angular one with respect to the other.

A plurality of dent'portions or pivot portions are shown formed in the outer ring 33 at the juncture between the portions and 22. The purpose of the dent portions 23 is discussed below.

Encompassing the entral portion 12 of the rotor ltl is an annular engagement member $14 having an axial portion 26 and a disc portion 25. Carried by the axial portion 26 are a plurality of spaced-apart spring seat mem bers The spring seat members are disposed in pairs around the periphery of the axial portion 26 adjacent the disc portion 2b. intermediate each pair or" spring seat members 3t) but spaced from the disc portion 23 is an abutment portion or cam portion 32. Thus, there are a plurality of abutment or cam portions 352. The spring seat members 3d and the abutment members 32 are rigidly attached to the axial portion at by any suitable means such as integrally or otherwise. Each pair of spring seat members and the abutment member 32 disposed therebetween form a group or" protuberances on the periphery of the axial portion at of the engagement member Each such group of protuberances Sid and 32 are adjacent an opening in the periphery of the axial portion 26 of the engagement member 24.

Within the axial portion 2s and spaced from the disc portion is an inwardly extending rim 3/5 which is preferably integral with the axial portion as.

A plurality of actuator members or units 4t; are carried by the rotor lltl and by the engagement member Each actuator member includes a weight member or Each weight member is adapted to be disposed within one of the windows -formed between adjacent legs 16. Each base 4 has a lug 4-5 in engagement with one of the abutment members 32.

Carried by the base of each weight member 4?. is a resilient arm in the form of a spring The spring 48 may consist of one or more spring wire members. A central portion of the spring 48 is shown rigidily attached by solder or the like to the base id. A V-shaped tongue portion extends from the base 4-4. The V-shapcd tongue portion 95 is adapted to engage one of the dent portions or pivot portion 23 within the angle formed by the portions 29 and 22 of the outer ring 15;, as best shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. Each V-shaped tongue portion 55) straddlesone of the dent portions or pivotportions 23-. Thus, the tongue portion 5% of each actuator memher 40 ispivotal about one of the dent portions 23, as.

shown in FiGURES 4- and 5.

The wire spring 425 of each actuator member 4% is shown as having a pair of looped portions 52., at opposed portions of the base :4. The opposite ends or" each spring 4-8 are seated in one of the pairs of spring seat members 3% so that each spring at is pivotal about a pair of the spring seats 3%. Each spring 48 is in compression as each actuator member 4t" is pivotally disposed intermediate one of the dent portions 23 and a pair of the spring seats 3d, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. Thus, each spring 48 a urges the rotor 16 and the engagement member 24 axially in directions one from the other.

A hub tit) has a portion 62 which is in firm pressfit relation within the central portion 12 of the rotor it), as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 The hub as also has a portion 64 provided with an abutment portion or ridge 66 against which the rim 36 is normally in engagement so that the abutment portion no limits the axial movement of the engagement member 24 in a direction from the rotor It).

The outside diameter of the hub 60 is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the axial portion as of the engagement member Therefore, there is a clearance between the hub 6i) and the engagement member 24 as balanced forces of the spring members retain the relative positions of the rotor 1n and the engagement member 24, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

FIGURES 5 and 6 show the hub tit? encompassing a shaft '70 for support thereby.

Operation When the control apparatus of this invention is used in association with an electric motor, a switch or other element of any device (not shown) may have a portion thereof in engagement with the disc portion 28 of the engagement member 24 for operation of the portion with axial movement of the engagement member 24. The engagement member 24 may also be employed as a control element in other uses of the control apparatus of this invention.

The engagement member and other elements of the apparatus are normally positioned as shown in FIG- URE 4. The shaft 7% or any other means may be used for rotating the hub es and the rotor 10. The engagement member 24 which is connected to the rotor it? by means of the actuator members 40 also rotates with rotation of the rotor til.

As the rate of rotation of the rotor it and the engagement member 24 increases, centrifugal forces upon the weight members 42 increase and the weight members or lever members 42 tend to move radially outwardly.

As the centrifugal forces upon the weight members 42 increase, the weight members 42 tend to pivotally move about an axis established by the engagement of the V-shaped tongue portion 59 of the actuator member 4b with a pivot portion 23 of the rotor 10.

The spring members or arms 48 continue to resiliently urge the engagement member 24 axially in a direction from the rotor 1d.

However, as the rate of rotation of the rotor It and the engagement member 24 increases, a condition occurs at which the centrifugal forces acting upon the weight members 42 overcome the resilient forces of the spring members 48. At the instant this condition occurs the weight members 42 move outwardly to a position as shown in FIGURE 5. This causes pivotal movement of each actuator member 46 about its respective pivot portion 23.

As shown and discussed, the looped or end portions 52 of each spring 43 are seated in a pair of the seats 3d. Therefore, as the actuator members 40 pivotally move, the spring members 48 thereof change in the general angle thereof from the slope thereof shown in FIG- URE 4 to a position slightly inclined from a line normal to the axis of rotation of the rotor, as shown in FIG- URE 5. With this change in angle of the spring member 48, there is a change in the direction of force which urges the engagement member 24 from the rotor 116. Due to the fact that the effective length dimension of each spring member decreases only slightly as the angle thereof changes from that shown in FIGURE 4 to that shown in FIGURE 5, the total or effective resiliency of the spring members 48 increases only slightly as the change in angle thereof occurs. Therefore, the change in angle or the lever action of the spring in its movement from the position thereof shown in FIGURE 4 to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 5, as the spring 48 is seated in the seat 39, urges the engagement member 24 toward the flange 14. The engagement member 24 is so urged by the spring 48 due to the fact that the spring 48 is seated in the seats 3t and the portion of the spring 48 within the seats 36 is moved toward the flange 14 with change in angle of the spring 48 from that shown in FIGURE 4 to that shown in FIGURE 5.

However, the greatest force urging movement of the engagement member 24 toward the rotor 10 occurs from everage action of the weight member 42 and its lug por tion 45. When each of the weight members 42 moves outwardly, the lug portion 45 thereof which is in engagement with the abutment portion 32 moves to the left, which is in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor lit), as shown in FIGURE 5. Such movement of the lug portion 45 causes the lug portion 45 to apply leverage action upon the abutment portion 32. The leverage action urges the engagement member 24 axially toward the rotor in, as shown in FIG- URE 5. Thus, each weight member 42 with its lug portion 45 provides lever action upon the engagement member 24 for movement thereof as the weight members 42 move outwardly as a result of centrifugal forces ther upon.

Such change in angle of the resilient forces of the spring members 43 as discussed above provides positive snap action in movement of the engagement member 24 from its position shown in FIGURE 4 to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 5, as the engagement member 24 is moved by the lever action of the weight members 4% and by the change in angle of the spring members 48.

it is to be understood that the lever action of the lug portions 45 upon the abutment portions 32 and the angle change of the springs 43 provide considerable force to axially move the engagement member 24 toward the rotor it as the weight members 42 move outwardly as a result of centrifugal forces applied thereto. Therefore, the engagement member 24 may be used to control a load of considerable value as the engagement member 24 axially moves when a given predetermined rate of rotation occurs.

Movement of each weight member 4-2 from its position as shown in FlGURE 4 to its position as shown in FIG- URE 5 is against the resiliency of the spring 48 which is associated therewith. Therefore, when the rate of rotation of the rotor 10 is again reduced below a certain predetermined value, the resilient force of the springs 48 overcomes the centrifugal forces applied to the weight members 42 and the springs 4h acting upon the engagement member 24 move the engagement member 24 in a direction away'from the rotorlti. The maximum axial movement of the engagement member 24 in a direction from the rotor 10 is determined by the abutment or ridge 66 of the hub 68. Thus, the engagement member 24 and each weight member 42 are moved to the position thereof as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the forms, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed: 7

1. In control apparatus,

a rotor,

a plurality of actuator members engaging the rotor and pivotal with respect thereto,

an engagement member encompasing the rotor and axially movable with respect to the rotor, the eneach actuator member including substantially coplanar resilient means engaging the engagement member and urging axial movement of the engagement member in a direction from the rotor,

means limiting axial movement of the engagement member in a direction from the rotor,

each actuator member including a weight member, each weight member having an engagement portion which is in engagement with an abutment portion of the engagement member, the engagement portion of each weight member being spaced from the plane of the resilient means of its respective actuator member,

each weight member being movable in a direction outwardly from the axis of rotation of the rotor, the engagement portion of each weight member moving toward the rotor with outward movement of the weight member,

centrifugal forces caused by rotation of the rotor causing movement of each weight member in a direction from the axis of rotation of the rotor, such movement of each weight member causing the engagement portion thereof to apply a force to an abutment portion of the engagement member to move the engagement member axially toward the rotor,

2. Control apparatus comprising:

a first rotor,

21 second rotor,

the rotors revolving about a common axis and being relatively axially movable, one of the rotors encompassing the other rotor,

an actuator member joining the rotors one to the other so that the rotors rotate one with the other, the actuator member engaging one of the rotors at a part thereof spaced from the axis of rotation thereof and engaging the other rotor at a part thereof adjacent the axis of rotationthereof,

the actuator member including resilient means urging axial movement of the rotors one from the other, the resilient means having all parts thereof substantially coplanar, the actuator member including weight means movable in a direction outwardly away from the axis of rotation of the rotors, such outward movement of the weight means being caused by centrifugal forces resulting from rotation of the rotors,

one of the rotors having an engagement portion,

abutment means attached to the weight means and axially movable with outward movement of the Weight means, the abutment means being spaced from the plane of the resilient means, the abutment means being engageable with the engagement portion of said rotor to move said rotor axially toward the other rotor when the Weight means moves in a direction away from the axis of rotation of the rotors.

3. Control apparatus comprising:

a rotor having a hub provided with limit means, the hub being adapted to be attached to a shaft or t e likerf or rotation of the rotor with the shaft, the ab having I a radial extension portion,

an engagement member encompassing the hub, there being a clearance at all times between the engagement member and the hub, the engagement member being axially movable with respect to the hub and engageablewith the limit means of the hub to limit axial movement of the engagement member with respect to the rotor, the engagement member having an engagement portion,

a plurality of actuator members,

each of the actuator members engaging the extension portion of the hub, each of the actuator members including resilient means in engagement with the engagement member and urging the engagement member toward the limit means of the hub, each of the resilient members having all portions thereof substantially coplanar,

each actuator member including a Weight member, a

portion of each weight member being movable outwardly from the axis of rotation of the rotor, each actuator member also having an axially movable portion, the axially movable portion being spaced from the plane of the resilient means, the axially movable portion being engageable with the engagement portion of the engagement member and movable to move the engagement member axially in a direction away from the limit means when the weight member moves outwardly,

4. Control apparatus comprising:

a first rotor, the first rotor having a peripheral rim portion,

a second rotor, the second rotor having a hub portion,

the rotors being coaxial and relatively axially movable, one of the rotors encompassing the other rotor but slightly spaced therefrom,

actuator n cans pivotally engaging the rim portion of the first rotor and the hub portion of the second rotor, the actuator means including resilient means urging relative axial movement between the rotors in a direction one from the other, the resilient means having all portions thereof substantially coplanar,

the actuator means also including weight means movable in a direction substantially radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotors with pivotal movement of the actuator means,

the actuator means also including engagement means engageable with one of the rotors, the engagement means being spaced from the plane of the resilient means, the engagement means moing in a direction substantially axially with pivotal movement of the actuator means, such movement of the engagement means causing engagement thereof with said one of the rotors and forcing relative movement of the rotors in an axial direction one with respect to the other.

5. Control apparatus comprising:

a first rotor, the first rotor having a peripheral rim,

a second rotor, the second rotor being coaxial with the fir t rotor and having a hub portion which supports a disc portion and an engagement portion, the second rotor encompassing the first rotor and being axially movable with respect to the first rotor,

actuator means pivotally engaging the rim of the first rotor and the hub portion of the second rotor,

the actuator means including a plurality of resilient means urging axial movement of the second rotor in a direction from the first rotor, the resilient means having all portions thereof substantially coplanar,

means carried by at least one of the rotors limiting axial movement of the second rotor in a direction from the first rotor,

the actuator means also including lever means, the lever means having a Weight portion movable generally radially outwardly from the axis of rotation of the rotors by centrifugal force as the rotors rotate at a rate greater than a given rate, the lever means also having an abutment portion engageable with the engagement portion of the second rotor, the abutment portion being spaced from the plane of the resilient means, the abutment portion being movable in a direction generally parallel with the axis of rotation arc-4,078

engagement therewith, the actuator member engaging one of the rotors at a part spaced from the axis of rotation thereof, the actuator member engaging the other rotor at a part thereof adjacent the axis of o a CT) portion moves radially from the axis of rotation of the rotors, the lever member and the wire spring member being attached together so that movement of the lever member causes movement of the wire rotation thereof, spring member so that the wire spring member also the actuator member including resilient means urging urges said one of the rotors to move axially as the relative axial movement of the rotors one from the Wire spring member is moved by movement of the other, the resilient means having all portions thereof lever member. substantially coplanar, it In control apparatus: the actuator member also including lever means pivotala first rotor,

ly movable by centrifugal forces applied thereto with a second rotor, the rotors being substantially coaxial, rotational movement of the rotors above a given the rotors being relatively axially movable, rate, the lever means having an engagement portion a resilient member intermediate the rotors urging moveengageable with one of the rotors urging axial movement of the rotors one from the other, the resilient Inent thereof as pivotal movement of the lever means member being seated within a portion of the second occurs, the engagement portion of the lever means rotor and generally within a plane which is angular being spaced from the plane of the resilient means. with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotors, the '7. Control apparatus according to claim 6 in which rotors rotating one with the other, the resilient means is in engagement with at lea-st one of a lever member firmly carried by the resilient member the rotors. so that movement of the lever member causes move- 8. Control apparatus comprising: ment of the resilient member, a rotor, the lever member having a weight portion which moves an engagement member adjacent the rotor and rotatable radially outwardly as the rotors reach a rotational rate about substantially the same axis of rotation as the g t rthan agivcn Value, rotor, the lever member also having a thrust portion which aplurality of actuator members, moves in a direction substantially parallel with the each actuator member including a looped spring wire axis of rotation of the rotors when the weight portion member, each of the spring wire members having of the lever member moves radially outwardly, the the two ends thereof in pivotal engagement with the thrust portion being spaced from the plane of the engagement member adjacent the axis of rotation resilient member and engilgeable With the Second thereof, a portion of each actuator member being rotor for axial movement thereof toward the first in pivotal engagement with the rotor at a position rotor, such outward radial movement of the weight spaced from the axis of rotation thereof, the spring portion of the lever member causing the resilient wire members normally urging axial movement of member to angul-arly move so that there is a change the engagement member in a direction from the rotor, in angle of the general plane of the resilient member each actuator member including a lever member which with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotors so has a weight portion movable in a direction from that as the resilient member is seated within a portion the axis of rotation of the rotor by centrifugal forces of the second rotor the second rotor is urged closer when the rotor reaches a given predetermined rate to the first rotor, the change in the angle of the of rotation, to resilient member causing a decrease in the dimension each lever member having axially movable force transof the resilient member from the first rotor to the mission means engageable with the engagement memsecond rotor so that an increase in compressional i er, the force transmission means being movable forces of the resilient member occurs as the second axially with movement of the Weight portion in a rotor moves closer to the first rotor, such outward direction from the axis of rotation of the rotor so radial movement of the weight member causing axial that the lever member forces the engagement member axially toward the rotor when the weight portion movement of the thrust member which also urges movement of the second rotor toward the first rotor.

thereof moves in a direction from the axis of rotation of the rotor. 9. Control apparatus comprising: a first rotor, 90 a second rotor adjacent the first rotor and rotatable about substantially the same axis as the first rotor, a movable actuator member disposed intermediate the 11. Control apparatus comprising:

a first rotor,

a second rotor,

the rotors being substantially coaxial and relatively axially movable,

actuator means in engagement with both of the rotors,

the actuator means including resilient means urging rotors, relative axial movement between the rotors, the resilthe actuator member being in pivotal engagement with ient means having all portions thereof substantially both of the rotors, within a given plane and angular with respect to the the actuator member including a wire spring member which is seated within one of the rotors and which normally urges relative movement of the rotors one from the other, the wire spring member having all parts thereof substantially Within a given plane,

the actuator member also including a lever member attached to the wire spring member, the lever mem her having an axially movable engagement portion engageable with one of the rotors for axial movement thereof, the axially movable engagement portion being spaced from the plane of the wire spring member, the lever member also having a weight portion which is movable substantially radially outwardly axis of rotation of the rotors,

the actuator means including lever means attached to to the resilient means, the lever means being pivotally movable by centrifugal forces applied thereto with rotational movement of the rotors above a given rate,

the lever means having an engagement portion engageable with one of the rotors and urging axial movement thereof as pivotal movement of the lever means occurs, the engagement portion of the lever means being spaced from the plane of the resilient means,

pivotal movement of the lever means causing change in the angle of the resilient means with respect to the from the axis of rotation of the rotors, the weight rotors so that the lever means and the spring means portion being generally radially movable from the urge relative movement of the rotors one toward the axis of rotation of the rotors by centrifugal forces other.

resulting from rotation of the rotors above a given rate so that the axially movable portion of the lever member urges one of the rotors axially as the weight 12. Control apparatus comprising: a first rotor, 5 a second rotor, the second rotor having a spring seat,

9 the rotors being substantially coaxial and relatively axially movable,

actuator means intermediate the rotors and in pivotal engagement therewith,

the actuator means including spring means seated in the spring seat of the second rotor, the spring means urging relative axial movement between the rotors, the spring means being substantially Within a given plane and being angular with respect to the rotors,

the actuator means including lever means movable angularly by centrifugal forces applied thereto with rotational movement of the rotors in excess of a given rate,

the lever means having a thrust portion engageable with the second rotor urging axial movement thereof toward the first rotor as the lever means moves,

the lever means being attached to the spring means so that the angle of the spring means with respect to the References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,416,973 3/47 Wright 73--538 2,611,602 9/52 Rosebraugh 73538 2,616,682 111/52 Greenhut 73538 2,797,080 6/57 Johnson 73-538 3,058,355 10/62 Larsh 73538 RICHARD C. QUEISSER, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN CONTROL APPARATUS, A ROTOR, A PLURALITY OF ACTUATOR MEMBERS ENGAGING THE ROTOR AND PIVOTAL WITH RESPECT THERETO, AN ENGAGEMENT MEMBER ENCOMPASING THE ROTOR AND AXIALLY MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO THE ROTOR, THE ENGAGEMENT MEMBER BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF ABUTMENT PORTIONS, EACH ACTUATOR MEMBER INCLUDING SUBSTANTIALLY COPLANAR RESILIENT MEANS ENGAGING THE ENGAGEMENT MEMBER AND URGING AXIAL MOVEMENT OF THE ENGAGEMENT MEMBER IN A DIRECTION FROM THE ROTOR, MEANS LIMITING AXIAL MOVEMENT OF THE ENGAGEMENT MEMBER IN A DIRECTION FROM THE ROTOR, EACH ACTUATOR MEMBER INCLUDING A WEIGHT MEMBER, EACH WEIGHT MEMBER HAVING AN ENGAGEMENT PORTION WHICH IS IN ENGAGEMENT WITH AN ABUTMENT PORTION OF THE ENGAGEMENT MEMBER, THE ENGAGEMENT PORTION OF EACH WEIGHT MEMBER BEING SPACED FROM THE PLANE OF THE RESILIENT MEANS OF ITS RESPECTIVE ACTUATOR MEMBER, EACH WEIGHT MEMBER BEING MOVABLE IN A DIRECTION OUTWARDLY FROM THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF THE ROTOR, THE ENGAGEMENT PORTION OF EACH WEIGHT MEMBER MOVING TOWARD THE ROTOR WITH OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF THE WEIGHT MEMBER, CENTRIFUGAL FORCES CAUSED BY ROTATION OF THE ROTOR CAUSING MOVEMENT OF EACH WEIGHT MEMBER IN A DIRECTION FROM THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF THE ROTOR, SUCH MOVEMENT OF EACH WEIGHT MEMBER CAUSING THE ENGAGEMENT PORTION THEREOF TO APPLY A FORCE TO AN ABUTMENT PORTION OF THE ENGAGEMENT MEMBER TO MOVE THE ENGAGEMENT MEMBER AXIALLY TOWARD THE ROTOR. 